Automatic control for garbage grinders



Jan. 26, 1954 Filed Jan. 15, 1947 J. W. HAM MES AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR GARBAGE GRINDERS 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

ameum Jan. 26, 1954 w, HAMMES 2,667,308

AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR GARBAGE GRINDERS Filed Jan. 15, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Y mwzzfmma Jan. 26, 1954 J. w. HAMMES AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR GARBAGE GRINDERS S Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 15, 1947 HTTOE/VEVSI Patented Jan. 26, 1954 meme-aw may ireleirhsi' (01. 241 -869" 7 invention relates to m rovements eqtegi to the a; mrninut n? a t n ."O m t im rat fi, s ied. j The refuse, gftefbein'g groundairgi'redueecr; is finished t the. grain. p 'andi'u t ma ely r a ,flaje' sewei; through thefi'ow of tap water, In -an izietallzitiofi' oi the I, type" under I 'ooneiiiemtio n; it

apparatus; To guard agaifisfi'a n" fighiirrg functions; the present intention jhals' es its g'erier al' object the 'p'rovis'io'nf of -a"meeh2ini;sm responsive to' an edeqix'atefluid' pressur other difficulties.

A mrthefjob get 9: th'ej nye'ntiofi is to mama; a garbagi'e'dispoell apparatus a cbmih'in or' 02.1135 'cause operation. of the comni'inutor motor 'i sewed,

that et fm y' b dra i j pfro he Sink tap, w, ni

desired, without operating "the "garbage disposar a aw kfuft'her obj ect' of the invention is to provider ina garbage disposal apparatu of the cheiractei described; a reversing switch forthe' eommiriut'or cause "the motor" to alternately run in re'vex s' the 'c'ominimitirig' mo'tor' will 1 mam.m ia w h fin. this" manne d ma e to theShreddirlfiefiibtewill" be prevente the arrafigemm 'ine1ir es an adequate lo'eatfof mutiny operated meeris' for. mfqifimgff the automatic"eletriesystem out of jope'ration so Via; a. a b sliswsa app ith ki hen si s wh bh rationiwhich 1 .0 212, a.. hi h s. .strron ended xa le, .whmh;

. met. and unitaryd. and; which is well adapted .for the purpiosee s t-i rtht. New With the above and. other objects in view, the invention consists oitheflimnroved; gerbagegfsposal' apparatus and its parts and combinajtiene. asg s'et forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof. the accompanying drawings. in which the same" reference characters indic'ate' the saime' parts in" all of the'vi'ews: t Fig: 1 is al'side viewofi the improved arbage. disposal apparatus ith'e. imam unit thereof T being shown in "vertical. section, irsaid 'iv'iew also. showing the on and ofiff'vswiteh in itS'lfD poeitiorrwith "the reversing switchizsolenoi'd"rle= energized and the reversing"- sw'it'h actuator cook nly; .W;t 1..t e. .nd1 .ve ye re ent 1131.116; i ii'.-.

ofij-switch in its on'positiomand the'reversi ng switch solenoidenergizedy FigiA is. anen'largedfifragmentary "dtafil refuse container, said section being of substan- Fig. 3, then the flapper valve 22 is in the position of Figs. 1 and 2, preventing material passage from the casing through the members 13 and I4. Under these conditions the switch arm 26 rests on the flattened cam surface 25 and is thus separated from the fixed contact element 28 depending from the switch box 21. However, when there is a sufficient head of fluid reacting against the face of the flapper valve 22, the pressure will cause said flapper valveto swing toward its open position shown in Fig. 3. The

swinging movement of the flapper valve will tially cylindrical form and having its upper end open and arranged for securement to the'bottom 5 portion of a kitchen sink in registration with the drain opening therein. The lower portion of the container section H1 is slightly outwardly flared and engages a lower casing section II. Within the lower portion of the container section there is secured a cutting or comminuting shell 12 and integral with the lower portion of the casing section II, extending laterally of one side,

thereof, is a tubular drain extension l3 whose outer end is flanged to receive the mating flanged extremity of a drain elbow I4.

predetermined value, whereupon the starting windings cease to function and all of the current thereafter flows through the second set of windings which are the rumiing windings. The above explanation is given in view of the fact that here after we will refer to a magnetic switch which functions automatically to take the starting windings out of play at the proper time and to cause the motor to operate only on the running wind-' ings.

The motor 19 includes a motor shaft 20 which extends vertically upwardly and within the com-' minuting shell 12 the motor shaft 20 has fast thereon a shredder or comminutor 21.

The above general explanation is necessary in order that the present improvements may be appreciated in connection with their association with the elements of the apparatus described. Referring now particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, it will be observed that the opening in the drain extension I3 is rectangular, and adapted to control said opening is a flapper valve 22. The upper end of this flapper valve is cylindrical, as at 22, and is mounted fast on a-shaft 23 journalled through the upper wall of the extension 13. The outer end portion of the shaft 23 has fast thereon a knurled operating knob 24 having an integral, inwardly extending sleeve portion 24 which functions as a cam and has a flattened cam surface 25 thereon. Riding on the cam sleeve 24' is the free end portion of a metallic, yieldable switch contact arm 26. The inner end of the switch arm 26 is anchored to the bottom portion of a switch box 21. When the apparatus is inoperative, or'when there is an insuflicient'head of water reacting against the flapper valve 22 to swing it toward its open position of Said complementary flanges on the members [3 and I4 arev secured together by bolts l5 with an interposed gasketv and extending upwardly from the elbow I4 is a web 16 carrying a horizontal shelf l1 on which are mounted supports for some of the turn the shaft 23 and the cam sleeve 24' to cause a raised portion of the cam sleeve to react against the contact arm 26 to flex it into engagement with the fixed contact element 28, thereby comnism within the casing 21.

pleting the circuit through the switch mecha- The switch mechanism housed within the casing 21 is in fact an on and off switch and is in the electrical circuit to the electric motor I9, current being supplied thereto by means of circuit wires 29 and 30 from the source while wires 3|, 32 and 33 connect with other electrical instrumentalities in the circuit.

. The numeral 34 indicates a reversing switch mounted on the shelf [1. This reversing switch is also in the electrical circuit which is controlled by the on and "off switch mechanism within the casing 21. and 3, said reversing switch has two pairs of yielding contact elements 35 and 36, respectively, with a flexible contact arm 31 between the arms 35 and a flexible contact arm 38 between the arms36. The outer ends of the interposed arms 31 and 38 are joined by a fiber connector 39 which is also engaged by a portion of a band spring 46 whereby, under the influence of the spring 40 the contact arms 31 and 38 will be operated jointly.

' For the purpose of actuating the reversing switch 34 there is mounted on an upright bracket 41 on the shelf 11, a solenoid 42. Ihe solenoid is in the same electrical circuit which includes the on and off switch 21 and the reversing switch 34 and energization and de-energization of the solenoid will cause upward and downward movement of the outer end of a solenoid arm 43 which is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the solenoid and is, when the solenoid is deenergized, normally maintained in the lowered position of Fig. 1 by a coiled spring 44. Swingably depended from the outer end of the solenoid arm 43 is a link 45 whose free end is movably engaged within the elongated curved eccentric slot 43 in an oscillatable ovateactuator 41. The

latter is turnably mounted on a pin 48 projecting Y laterally of the bracket 4|. A peripheral portion of the actuator 41'is provided with a notch in which the free end of the band spring 46 is yieldingly engaged.

When the solenoid 42 is deenergized, which is,

are making contact with the lowermost fixed con-' tacts of the pairs of contact elements 35 and 36. This means that thereafter, whencurrent is supplied to the motor IS, the motor shaft 26 willbeturned in one direction. However, if theactuator As is best shown in Figs. 1'

memos- 41 is in the positionor Eig; 4; their thelyieldingv contact elements 3l' and 38:01: thereversing-switch; are making contact with: the uppermost fixedcontacts. of the pairs and. 36 with. the result. that thereafter, when current is supplied to. the motor [9, the motor shaft '28 will be turnedinla' direction the reverse of that-which results from the: arrangement shown iIrEig. 1. Withthe con dition-attaining depictedin-Eig. 1, thenlet itrhe. assumed thattheswitch'mechanism 21 ismoved; to its on position andthi's: willelose the circuit-. and energize thesol'enoid 4-2; whereupon the solenoid arm 43 will be raised to-the position or 5. This movement of'the solenoiti' armraisesthe. linlr 45 relativeto the actuator slotsili, but asxlone as the: solenoid is energized; the lowermost: fixed; contactsin the reversing-switchers stiiliengagecb bythe yielding-contact elements: 3?: and 38; Thereafter, i-ftheswitch mechanism 2T. is. moved; to its: 01f position, the circuit: will bebroken andthe solenoid 42 will release the arm; 5:3 anr5: suehmovement will cause thelink 45. to swing? somewhat toward the left (relative to thedrawe ings) in the-slot 46, oscillating the actuator flito the position of Fig. 4;. In: this. position oflthel actuator, through: the hand: spring and they connector 39 -the pair of yielding contact ele: ments 3? and will be movedlinto. contactwith': the uppermost fi xed' contactsof the pairs .35; and; 36 st; as to thereafter-effect reversal of the elecg trio motor l9. From the position of Fig. egluplon closing of the-switch 21 and energization of the solenoid 4'2; theupward movement of the arm 413 will result inthe position shown in Fig 3.. Thereafter, upon deenergization: of the solenoid 4%; reverse. cocking of 'the actuator t? will: take; place, returning to the: Fig. 1 position. thereof, with the-opposite contacts-in thereversing switch; being engaged.

In connection with theoperation of the oscil'e latable actuator 4T attention is directed; to. the shoulderli projeoting into the-slot a In the up position of the solenoidarm 43 the-link 45.1 may hang to one sideorthe other ofthe shoulder. 11". Upon release-of the arm 4'5 by the solenoidthalinkwill then move in theslot either: toward: one'end thereof or toward the other, depending on its position relative to the shoulder 41.; anct this effects the successive reverse oscillations-oi the actuator 41 for-reversing: the contacts-in the switch: a

It was previously mentioned that-themotor lQ-z is provided" with a" set of" starting windings. in Fig. 5) and a set ofrunning' windingslii in Fig. 5). After the motorreaches apredetermined runningspeed, a magnetic switch 52 functions automatically; to take'the starting windings in the motor out of play and to causethe motor to, operate onlyon'the running windings: 51:. It will be observed that this magnetic switch is located on the exterior-frame'portion of the uniton. the bracket 41,,and. is, therefore exteriorlyo; andremote from the container I'Q -i I and the conduits. and cannot be. affected by any fluid passing through the container and conduits,

Also in themain electrical circuit is anoveroad.pm eqt e-s p o rel .3. cit-conven ional. construction, This member 53, is normally in; closedcondition. but, should an overloadin the electrical circuit-result byrvi-rtue of unusual con-.. ditions such as'clogging or jamming of; the: cone. tainer-andcomminutor, the; member 53.wi1 -1;auto--, matically breahthe. circuit. After the: unusual;

condition which has created the overl'oadzislcor-s To minutgr theltewithin an, electrictmotonior. dri -C function through peratlon efa the oni:

accomplished byswing-ing movements. ofitheihaekii water valve: plate 22.. However, the": casing. 21 is arranged: for pivotalimovementiand:undorz'unr usualconditi'ons, it susceptihl'esofi hcihgg.

uall'y pivotally moved. from-the: full. line posh-4 tion: of Fig. 3 to: the. broken linerposition, oijEigz 3-; r This is accomplished by; manually: ensaslnera laterally projecting: rod 542. on aaside. nortiomofi the casing 2-1. When; the casing: 21 manhole 1y moved to. the broken line; position. of. Eig z: 3;, it will be obvious thatzthen theyielding comet-rt, arm 26 thereon will be: unaifected by. turning? movement of the cam 25' associated: with the? valve pla e: 22: nt ems the: elec ical eir u controlling the; motor: 1-5 will be op nane: the: motor wilt not operate his cend-itinnis oer sirahle; at: such. times as one mi ht-wish to stew water from the. sink; tap: without. re ard tome operation of: the. ganbaee clisnosal Any; excess. water flswine throu h the-eutelet. and the. container tilet w t.-

ts w i ht: builds uni. mere y open-the velve p zete 22; and flow to. the sewer-thmush heoutle one nections l3 and I4 and a .12 nism for the garba e; (JiSQQ QA. snee not operate. Manual ing. 2;? to; the broke... F 5 might also be desirame. aqmdlrtion: atte wherein refuse eitherisimmedeea st hein or outer faces: of t evalv plate 2:2;00 pre en p oper functionin The switch casin -'2 ea be manu y turned downtq its operat ve-pot tion, orit may. be manmul ted ses le via th vi l inscontactarnr 2. meet on retio of the motonwith theresult that operation the comminuto Z1 nd the? l ins through the,v outlet t3; w. c ear Q heclo ged refuse. andt er e nerm tthe valve. plate 22 to function in, ihsn .almannen Willi be noted: irorotthe d air ngs, i i t desirazble; to; include a: con t e, capacitor is which; is alsomo h iedrom the: h lia t1 This.;cap.an ;Q s riesw'ith hes ar ingewinn inesiofthe mote... 9,3

Fromthe foregoin deserintieetit l bean a e disnosal.

parent; that: inf the: mnm e e apparatus un erno m l: secretin cond tions there; will: be no iun t oning: Qt he: cemmim e ins. mechanism, w hontthlfiewhrq gh mes of: arr. ad uate-ho y:- Qt fluen wa e ma e rial... impr per Qne hon-Q1 he meme nismisautq atiQ l-h; Dre: ted-o he on? and ofi sw tch is n ue that its opera o dependent: upon. pr ti temnm d f ui pr ssure within thesvst o he annaratus Thom on anism; also! includes a novel and. highl. efieoa tive, type of: autqma icrev rsmsj sw tch; t the motor w ich... d ves the-c mmunes member... Thi rere ine' c t utomatiea u causexi tic.

ancion= switch; .l mnscv drear aee' posali pparatus; is; tur hermere of; simple. one. novel nfitructionl. is: neat. cemsa t and tary, and'is. well toas ed. ferthe. curses-2s dfir scribed.

Whatis; claimed? s -the:-m erttighvis rm. a garba e d sp sa appara us ha ing. a arbage; n na a re ei n cast eh te. QJQ

mg said comminutor, a wastematerial conduit extending from-said casing-an electrical circuit includingsaid motor, a switch to open and close extending from said casing, an electrical circuit including said motor, a switch to open and close said circuit, a back water valve movably mounted within said waste material conduit, and connections between said valve and said switch whereby opening movements of said valve close said switch and closing movements of said valve open said switch.

3. In a garbage disposal apparatus having a garbage and water receiving casing with a comminutor therewithin, a reversible electric motor for driving said comminutor in reverse directions, a waste material conduit extending from said casing, an electrical circuit including said motor, a motor reversing switch in said circuit, a switch to open and close said circuit, and to operate .said reversing switch, and fluid pressure means extending into the Waste material conduit for operating said last-mentioned switch.

4. In a garbage disposal apparatus having a garbage and water receiving casing with a comminutor therewithin, a reversible electric motor for driving said comminutor in reverse directions, a waste material conduit extending from said casing, an electrical circuit including said motor, a motor reversing switch in said circuit a solenoid also included in said circuit, mechanical connections between said solenoid and said reversing switch for operating the latter, a switch to open and close said circuit and to energize and deenergize said solenoid, and a fluid pressure actuated member influenced by fluid pressure in said casing and connected to said last mentioned switch to operate the same.

5. In agarbage disposal apparatus having a garbage and water receiving casing with a comminutor therewithin, a reversible electric motor for driving said comminutor in reverse directions, a waste material conduit extending from said casing, an electrical circuit including said motor, a motor reversing switch in said circuit, said switch including pairs of fixed contacts with jointly movable contacts operating between the contacts of the respective pairs, an oscillatable actuator for successively shifting said movable contacts in=reverse directions, mechanical means extending to said actuator for successively rocking it in reverse directions, a solenoid also included in said circuit adapted to actuate said mechanical means upon energization and deenergization of the solenoid, a switch to open and close said circuit, and fluid pressure actuated means extending adjacent the waste material conduit and connected with the last-mentioned switch for operating the same.

6. In a waste disposal apparatus, a wall which defines a waste receiving chamber having shredding means on its inner surface, a flywheel in the chamber having at its periphery impeller blades which cooperate with the shredding means, walls defining passages in the chamberwall at the periphery of the flywheel for. conveying comminuted material from above to below the flywheel, a discharge conduit, a motor for rotating the flywheel, a control switch in said motor circuit, and means for closing said switchonly in the circumstance of substantial flow of liquid through said conduit, comprising a gate member pivotally mounted within said conduit, said gate being normally biased to substantially close said conduit and retractable upon flow of fluid into said conduit in predetermined volume to permit flow therethrough, and a lever operated by retraction of said gate into open-conduit position for actuation of said control switch.

'7. In a waste disposal apparatus, a wall which defines a waste receiving chamber, means for introducing water into said chamber, means in said chamber for comminuting material, a drain conduit connected with the chamber, a plurality of mutually independent means for directing water or a mixture of water and comminuted material from the sides and the central portion of the chamber to the drain conduit, a motor for operating said comminuting means and a control switch in the motor circuit, a pivotally mounted gate member disposed within said drain conduit in the path of fluid flow and rotatable to open said conduit upon fluid flow into said conduit in substantial volume, an actuator for said control switch, and means interposed between said gate member and said switch actuator to operate the switch to motor starting position upon movement of said gate under fluid flow conditions. a

8. In a garbage disposal apparatus having a garbage and water receiving casing with a comminutor therewithin, a reversible electric motor for driving said comminutor in reverse directions, means forming ingress and egress openings in said casing, an electrical power circuit for said motor, a motor reversing switch in said circuit, and means in one of said openings operable under conditions of flow through'said opening to cause actuation of said reversing switch.

9. Waste disposal apparatus including a comminution chamber having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, comminution means including a movable element within said chamber, a reversible motor for driving said element in forward or reverse direction, an electrical circuit for said motor, a reversing switch in said circuit, said switch having an open-circuit position and two closed-circuit positions respectively establishing one or the other directions of motor operation, and switch actuator means in one of said openings operable under conditions of flow through said opening to cause actuation of said switch to one of its two closed positions.

10. In a garbage disposal apparatus having a garbageand water-receiving casing with a comminutor therewithin, a reversible electric motor for driving said comminutor in reverse directions, means forming ingress and egress openings in said casing, an electric power circuit for said motor, a motor reversing switch in said circuit, and flow device means in one of said openings operable when said opening is open for the flow of water to cause actuation of said reversing switch.

11. In a garbage disposal apparatus having a garbage and water receiving casing with a comminutor therewithin, a reversible electric motor for driving said comminutor in reverse directions, a waste material conduit extending from said casing, an electrical circuit including said motor, a motor reversing switch in said circuit, a switch to open and close said circuit, a fluid pressure actuated member in said casing influenced by fluid pressure in said casing and means operably connecting said member to said last-mentioned switch to operate the same in response to fluid pressure actuation of said members.

JOHN W. HAMMES.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 10 745,899 Patterson Dec. 1, 1903 809,693 Johnston Jan. 9, 1906 959,257 Proutt May 24, 1910 990,512 Barnum Apr. 25, 1911 1,114,225 Cahussae Oct. 20, 1914 15 1,887,273 Lewis Nov. 8, 1932 1,916,360 Crane July 4, 1933 7 Number Number 10 Name Date Little Apr. 24, 1934 Johnson Sept. 10, 1935 Pauly Apr. 25, 1939' Schaefer Mar. 26, 1940 McLoughlin Apr. 9, 1940 Hames Dec. 17, 1940 Kohl Apr. 8, 1941 Powers June 3, 1941 Dunham May 25,-1943 Luhn Dec. 5, 1944 Lowe July 23, 1946 Powers May 3, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Australia Mar. 11, 1927 

